Monroe Charities receives $65,000 to build new home in Ouachita Parish

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – A Monroe nonprofit has received the largest donation to help build housing in the area.

Habitat for Humanity of North Louisiana received a big check Thursday (September 26) afternoon. One of the board members says it’s the largest donation they’ve ever received.

“It’s pretty emotional to me because what happens is … when you pick a family and you take a family out of a really horrible situation and you put them in a good situation,” said Habitat CEO Kathy Gardner for Humanity of North Louisiana. “It doesn’t just stop there. It goes on and on, because we teach people how to own a home, how to be successful, and all those things that Habitat is sure to provide.”

The organization received a donation of $65,000. Its donor, Mike Clay, says he always wanted to help build a house.

“Well, it’s just, a lot of people have a hard time getting a residence or having a home, so this is a good program where they can contribute themselves and end up owning the house,” Clay said.

Board President Justin Underwood said the donation will fund the construction of a home.

“We are raising funds for the houses to be built so that we can build them at the lowest possible cost; so that when we have the family that is awarded and selected for the house, they actually get that house for whatever the cost was, no interest as a loan, so if we can lower that cost; we lower the price of that home, it makes it much more affordable and affordable for that homeowner,” Underwood said.

The organization said they are currently building two homes in Ruston, but the $65,000 will be specifically for Ouachita Parish.

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